Sunday, June 22, 2008

Concept sketches for 'Shotgun 9-1-1'

As penance for dragging my feet on the portrait, I made sure to have a quick turn-around on these concepts. As you can see, I have two main ideas: 1) illustrating an actual shotgun "emergency", and 2) illustrating the idea of getting gun help over-the-phone.


I started with the top one, but decided that the 'phone call' was too small, and as a result too easily lost. The second one started the same way, but by replacing the boulder with a tree I could crop in closer. I also like the division of the picture plane and the new pose for the bear. Granted, it may be a bit vague (Who is he calling? Is he calling the park ranger? Yogi?), but by emphasizing the brokenness of the gun and refining his pose that he's looking more at the gun and concentrating on its reassembly, I believe it would work. The second of the above sketches is my favorite, but in the spirit of always trying to explore new ideas, I also have this one:



Lamely employing the "phone-call split-screen" device, the kindly Remington doctor is helping this clearly distressed gun owner revive his fallen compatriot. It's no Field & Stream centerfold, but a serviceable idea if need be.

I seek feedback and the revival of a somewhat stagnant blog. Post!
m

7 comments:

Boston, MA said...

I dont' think you need the phone call at all. I really like your first sketches...the bear's expression is great...but why on the phone? The entire article is about the call so why not just illustrate a humorous 9-1-1 situation such as bear hunting for man without revealing the aspect that there is a helpline.

MikeC said...

well, the article is about emergency maintenance. You don't think the broken gun/phone call relationship is important, then?

Boston, MA said...

Don't you think that the article is also about the ridiculousness of hunters/gunsmen out in the field shooting and not understanding basic maintenance and mechanics of their weaponry? That's the part that I thought you were alluding to.

MikeC said...

I was trying to think of a worst-case scenario for someone to need that number, i.e; a bear hunting you when you need help putting your gun back together. But I think your interpretation works as well.

Boston, MA said...

I guess I agree with your original point that you don't know who he's calling in that situation and I think it's enough to show a worst case scenario where the bear's after you and your gun doesn't work. The article will fill in the gaps as to why the gun doesn't work and why the hunter might need the emergency line.

shrug

MikeC said...

Good point

John Hendrix said...

Remember: This is not like the fable assignment. We don't have to get the whole concept from the image. It is designed to run WITH the text. Illustration is doesn't stand by itself, if it did, its something else.

The article is also hinting at the absurdity of such a hotline. So, the idea of calling a hotline while a bear is chasing you does capitalize on that juxtaposition.

I like the closer shot of the bear going around the tree. The gun needs to be really really broke though. Not just a cracked barrel, but like, in two pieces. That will also heighten the hyperbole.

Way to put these rookies to shame, sport.